12 Months in 60 Seconds

Give me 60 seconds. I know you have them. I’ll tell you what I’ve been up to during these last 12 months. Ready? Here we go:

1One More Chair. Yes, we added a high chair to our dining room, a crib to the bedroom, a bouncer to my studio and a stroller to the trunk of the car. Miss Eva came to us on February 6. We are happy to report, we are in love (Photo by Mel Bosna of Lulliloo Photography).

2Portfolio Awarded. By June, I knew we were expecting. I also knew it would be a while until I would make it to Los Angeles for the SCBWI Summer Conference. I decided to make the trip and enter the portfolio. At the Portfolio Showcase in August, the Illustrator’s Committee called the winners one by one and then at the very end called my name. I had won the Portfolio Showcase Grand Prize. I was floored. Thank you to Neal Porter, Tamar Brazis, Deb Warren, Jen Rofé and Stefanie Von Borstel who were the judges last year.

3Full Circle. I met Stefanie on Saturday after the Portfolio Winners were announced. We kept in touch for a few months and after a while it was clear we could work well together. Now, I’m proud to announce that since mid-November Stefanie Von Borstel of Full Circle Literary is my agent. I couldn’t be any happier. Her support and encouragement have been incredible throughout these months!

5Storybook Brushes. Another highlight of the last 12 months. A few of us children’s illustrators joined forces and started Storybook Brushes. Our first mailer was a 2013 Wall Calendar. You can get a copy at my BigCartel Shop.

6New Magazine Work. A few assignments for Babybug and Ladybug came last year. All of them where fun and whimsical. You can also read an interview at Babybug‘s blog here.

7Back To Instagram. I stepped back from the online world while I was pregnant. Just last week, I reopened an instagram account. I post sketches (and the occasional family picture). You can find me as @juanamartinezn

8Back To Work. As of Monday, April 22nd I’m back to work after 3 months of maternity leave. I’m full of tasks to accomplish and projects to complete but you will hear more about that later.

And with that my time is up! Life is good and I am happy. Until the next post, I hope you are happy. Thanks for reading!

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10 comments

What a whirlwind year! Congratulations on all of your blessings, Juana! You heartily deserve them. I have to say I was tickled each time a magazine came to our mailbox and your art was in it. :) I love your work and am excited to see where it takes you this year!